WILD DOGS —
PASTORAL LEASES
651. Hon DIANE EVERS to the Minister for Agriculture and
Food:
(1) Will the
minister please advise what action is taken with wild dogs when a pastoral
lease is relinquished?
(2) When were the
following pastoral leases relinquished, and what action was taken by the
department in relation to the management of wild dogs at —
(a) Kadji Kadji;
(b) Lochada; and
(c) Barnong?
(3) In relation to (2), what was the
outcome?
(4) Does the government close water
supplies on relinquished pastoral lands?
(5) If yes to (4), what steps does
the government take to mitigate the impact on native animals?
Hon
ALANNAH MacTIERNAN replied:
I thank the member for the question.
(1) Wild dogs are
category 3, management, declared pests under section 22 of the Biosecurity and
Agriculture Management Act 2007. Management of category 3 pests is the responsibility
of the landholder. When a pastoral lease is relinquished, it becomes
unallocated crown land. The Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and
Attractions is responsible for the management of unallocated crown land,
including the management of wild dogs.
(2) These three pastoral leases were not relinquished,
but rather were purchased under the Gascoyne–Murchison strategy
by the state and commonwealth governments. Kadji Kadji was purchased on 4
September 2003, Lochada was purchased on 26 May 2000 and Barnong was purchased
on 20 September 2007. Following the purchases, DBCA became responsible for the
land management of the properties, including the management of wild dogs. The
Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development assists landholders,
including DBCA, with the management of wild dogs through its contribution to
recognised biosecurity groups.
(3) As the
Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions became the land
manager of the properties, management of wild dogs became the responsibility of
DBCA.
(4) The
Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions has a policy relating
to the management of water points on acquired pastoral leases. This part of the
question is best directed to the Minister for Environment.
(5) Please see
the answer to (4).